Army vows to maintain stability in protest-hit Algeria

By Abdul Razak bin Abdullah</p> <p>ALGIERS (AA) – The army will maintain Algeria’s continued security, Military Chief-of-Staff Ahmed Gaid Salah said Tuesday.</p> <p>Salah made the remarks amid ongoing popular protests against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s planned bid for a fifth term in office.</p> <p>Salah, who also serves as deputy defense minister, made the assertions while addressing military commanders west of capital Algiers.</p> <p>Last month, Algeria’s ruling National Liberation Front nominated the 82-year-old Bouteflika — who has ruled Algeria since 1999 — to run for a fifth presidential term. </p> <p>Since then, Algeria has seen several anti-Bouteflika demonstrations in different parts of the country, including capital Algiers.